Local Guides for the Conservation of the Carlos Anwandter Ramsar Site

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by Mario Hernán Maturana Arévalo, Corporación Nacional Forestal, CONAF, Chile

2nd Workshop for River Guides of Valdivia, Chile.

CONAF.

Tourism in Chile's protected areas is increasingly required by citizens, who are looking for an approach to nature, seeking to live an experience that is enriched by interaction with local communities. The Río Cruces and Chorocamayo Nature Sanctuary (SNSR) (which corresponds to a category of protection in Chilean jurisdiction) was also declared as the first Ramsar Site in Chile, named Carlos Anwandter (1981) (SN SR). It is the first wetland of international importance in the country and is widely visited in the region. In this context, the protected area team has initiated collaborative work with local tour guides who offer navigation and guiding services for the different watercourses that make up the wetland, grouped in the Association of River Guides of Valdivia.

Last update: 04 Nov 2024

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Context

Challenges addressed

Increasing temperatures

Invasive species

Lack of alternative income opportunities

Lack of public and decision maker’s awareness

Scale of implementation

Local

Ecosystems

Estuary

Theme

Access and benefit sharing

Protected and conserved areas governance

Outreach & communications

Location

Valdivia, Los Ríos, Chile

South America

Impacts

A better link has been established with the different actors involved in regional tourism, with the river tour guides of Valdivia being the first ones to receive visitors to the region on many occasions, specifically when navigating to the southern sector of the SNSR.
It has improved the visitors' experience since they have better prepared local guides with accurate and truthful information. In turn, they can encourage attitudes in accordance with SNSR regulations.
A collaboration network has been created with 45 local guides, who have helped to be present in those places where the protected area team cannot be present. Although they do not have formal oversight powers, they are a great support for the effective management of the protected area.
They have allowed for coordination between public services (CONAF and the National Monuments Council) in order to advance the implementation of the protected area's management plan.